Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. President and DDA Executive Director Steve Deisler handed out a memo that outlines several of the DDA's concerns about the sale, including the possible future capping of Arcadia Creek, which runs through the parcels and the possible future removal of sidewalks adjacent to the creek. Deisler also proposed a motion for Monday's meeting that would allow the sale without giving WMU the power to cap or relocate the creek or remove sidewalks without DDA involvement.

DDA members did not act on the motion, but did give Deisler verbal consensus to further talk with Downtown Tomorrow Inc., WMU and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation about the sale.

WMU owns several parcels in the four-block area once eyed for an arena bordered by Park Street, Kalamazoo Avenue, Westnedge Avenue and Water Street on downtown's west side. University officials are in talks to buy the remaining parcels on those blocks owned by the DDA and Downtown Tomorrow Inc., which is the real estate development arm of Downtown Kalamazoo Inc., for $10 per square foot.

The proposed purchase would total about $2.75 million.

The four DDA-owned parcels in question, totaling about 2,100 square feet, include three on the south side of Arcadia Creek between Cooley and Park streets and one on the north side of the creek near Cooley Street. WMU would pay the DDA $10 a square foot, totaling $21,053 for those four DDA-owned parcels.

As a condition of the proposed purchase, WMU would get authority to alter or cap Arcadia Creek if necessary for future development and would be required to maintain public pedestrian sidewalks adjacent to the creek. Another condition is that WMU would share any future project plans with the DDA, but the DDA would not have the power to approve or reject the plans.

WMU purchased parcels in the four-block area in 2001 with the caveat that it would develop a significant portion of the property. If not, it could be bought back by DTI. However, DTI is not in a financial position to purchase the property, Michael O'Connor, its legal counsel, said last month in a memo to Deisler.

Downtown Tomorrow Inc. has until Sept. 30 to work out the possible sale, a deadline that has been extended several times.

"What we're trying to do today or in the next couple of months is land on what the DDA feels what its position is, what does it see as important and share those statements or concerns with DTI," Deisler said.

Mayor Bobby Hopewell said at Monday's meeting he was not prepared to vote on the motion because board members had just received it during the meeting.

"I'm not excited about anybody under almost any conditions (having) control of the creek," Hopewell said. "It's not something that's going to sit well with the little bit of water (that's been uncovered downtown)."

DDA member Greg Taylor said he was happy the time sensitivity had been lifted in the extended deadline.

"This is a big deal to downtown," Taylor said. "It's a large footprint and something a lot of people have spent a lot of energy on. Everyone wants to see it done right."

DTI has been selling property in recent months to help pay back an $8 million obligation to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. DTI currently owes about $4 million to the foundation. Under WMU's proposed purchases, the university would pay off a $1.5 million loan by the foundation to DTI, and the remaining approximately $1.25 million would go to the DDA and DTI.

Bobbe Luce, community investment officer for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, said during a public comment time the foundation board's biggest concern is that there is a plan for the property.

"They're concerned about there not being a plan and that it is just sitting there derelict," Luce said.

Downtown resident Jeff Weisman said he "would hate" to see the property be sold to WMU, and that the site needs private development and tax dollars. He questioned why offers to develop the site haven't been considered.

"It seems like you have waited too long and allowed too many things to slip through your hands and you had your mind set on one big project, and that project never came through," Weisman said.

As part of an agreement between WMU and DTI, any project initiated at the site is supposed to benefit the greater community as well as WMU. WMU officials have said they have no development plans for the property at this point.

Emily Monacelli covers local government and beer for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Contact her at emonacel@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.